Cave Creek vs N Scottsdale

[Reid3416]

we also found the people to be exteremly friendly.

[English63]

Weve been visting the greater phx area for many a year , and found the people all over to be freindler than many citys in the USA and europe

[livingincavecreek]

Hi Reid3416,

Responding to your post - people in Cave Creek are VERY friendly. Much friendlier than North Scottsdale a few short miles away, IMO. I'm originally from Canada as well & grew up in Wisconsin mainly so I appreciate the "small town" feel here. Particularly up in the actual town of Cave Creek (north of Tatum Ranch), it's like being in smallsville, America... but way cooler since you're not in the midwest! I enjoy going to up to the town of Cave Creek reguarly for the coffee/wine bar and fun western towns/restaurants, etc.

In response to your query about the rattlesnakes and scorpions: I've lived in Tatum Ranch nearly five years and have YET to see a scorpion and I live about a block away from the wide expanse of open desert on the far north end of the community. To my knowledge, none of my neighbors have had scorpions in their homes either. In fact, I've never seen a Scorpion in Arizona yet! I have known three people, though, who lived near a more developed area in Scottsdale Rd and Frank Lloyd Wright who regularly see scorpions. Weird!

Interestingly, this was the first year that I saw rattlesnakes on my daily walks along the desert -- 2 of them over 2 consecutive days about 2 months ago. I think the weather played a factor and they were really active early. However, they were both dead having been hit by cars.

I have had javelinas in my yard, and have seen them around Tatum Ranch. I've also heard reports of people spotting bobcats, but never had the pleasure of seeing one yet here!

Hope this helps answer your questions!!

[Reid3416]

Thank you for the reassurance. We instantly fell in love with Cave Creek and the people of phoenix seemed friendly and approachable. I have also travelled alot as a flight attendant and like the climate and area. The only wildlife we have around our place in Calgary Alberta, Canada are bunnies and the occasional coyote but i've never personally had an encounter with one so the prospect of snakes and scorpions in my yard is somewhat terrifying, especially since we have 2 Golden Retrievers and a newborn baby. we are looking into the snake avoidance classes for our dogs, anything to make them safer.

[ciaofolks]

You may also want to consider a 'county island'. We bought in what is known as Cave Creek, but the house one door to the left of us and across the street is in North Scottsdale. We have an acre of land, an amazing view of Black Mountain, faster access to the freeways and our property taxes are only about 1400 a year. We moved from Orange County to here in 2003 and we absolutely LOVE it! Keep Newport Beach and your postage stamp yard and traffic jams at all hours. We love the land, the rural feeling, the stars and the space.

[toomuchsunshine]

north scottsdale = yuppie, snobby, rich, annoying people who only want to wear fashion clothes and drink fashion martinies after working at their fashion job. if you're into that kind of thing, you'll love it. great singles town, i guess.

cave creek = a nice, quiet, pretty place to.... retire. semi-boring at the moment. most of the fun is in tempe/chandler/scottsdale.

[paulnick]

Scorpions and Rattlesnakes? I've lived in Tatum Ranch for 10 years and have not seen one yet. However, Coyotes and Javalinas are another matter. I was getting something out of my truck when I sensed something behind me and a coyote was walking down the sidewalk (less than 5 feet from me) He just kept walking. Last month 6 Javalinas walked into our cul-de-sac.

The coyotes can be aggressive toward dogs as my neighbor found out. If you have dogs, especially small dogs, you better keep them with you.

I don't mean for this too sound too gloomy, because in 10 years I have only seen a few dozen coyotes and maybe a dozen Javalinas within a block of my home.

[KarlaT2]

Just curious. How long does it take to drive from Cave Creek area to Tempe/Chandler area?

[gnubler]

In the late 90s, there was a gap between Scottsdale and CC. CC was actually its own community - a quiet place 20 miles north of Phoenix to go for lunch and check out the junk shops.

Today Cave Creek IS North Scottsdale. The whole metro PHX area is just one big pressure cooker plopped in the middle of the desert.

[jeanalfred]

Originally Posted by SpeedyAZ

Scottsdale does have money and not everyone flaunts it. There are many down-to-earth people in Scottsdale that have serious $$ but you'd never know it by the way they act.

Not everyone wants to live in Newport Beach, I sure don't! You act like it's a utopia; well golfing on one of the beautiful courses in Scottsdale in my personal utopia. I love it here!

As for the original poster, I'm sorry for these rude comments as they really aren't helping you chose between the two.

N. Scottsdale offers a mix of great family-friendly communities with young professionals and retirees. Some of the most popular ones are Grayhawk (where I live) and DC Ranch.

Cave Creek is more of an upscale Cowboy town. I haven't been there for a while but it's also very nice. I know they have some great desert scenery out there.

You really can't make a bad choice between the two. Good luck.

You live at Grayhawk? Any problems with scorpions?